Our exclusive edition of Of A Kind is out! Get it here, along with some of our favorite ways to spend a Sunday in Seattle.
CARLO SCARPA
Carlo Scarpa - Where Architecture, Design, and Art Intersect
Discover more about one of our design heroes and how his work inspired the new collection, LINEA.
Perhaps no other mid-century architect toed the line between functional structure and modernist masterpiece with more precision than Carlo Scarpa. Born in 1906, Scarpa would become a key force behind Italy’s unique brand of modernist contributions -- and, eventually, one of the key inspirations behind the White/Space LINEA collection.
One of Scarpa’s most celebrated works, the Tomba Brion (in the image above) in Northeastern Italy, is perhaps the greatest example of his influential eye for detail, and its visual language was a jumping off point for the genesis of our latest collection. Tall cypress trees are interspersed among concrete geometric patterns -- a signature Scarpa juxtaposition between natural and industrial elements. A network of pathways connects reflective pools and canals of flowing water, offering an unexpected sense of serenity in a typically somber setting. A major focal point features two overlapping circles meant to honor the Taoist symbol for the lifelong union between two married people. Appropriately, this frames the Brion couple’s side-by-side tombs.
Scarpa had a knack for striking a balance between design and craftsmanship; rigid and fluid; symmetric and asymmetric; classic and cutting-edge; organic and polished. He manipulated color, texture, and light to portray movement. He paired timber with steel, brass with marble, and glass with iron to create works that were minimalistic at first glance, but complex and deliberate upon closer inspection.
While designing this latest collection, I set out to honor the beauty that results from these intersections. The collection features wearable curves, swoops, and sharp contrasting lines; Fluidity comes into play with luminescent pearls, and sparkling diamonds set atop smooth textures. Available finishes include hand-polished and matte brushed metalwork -- all carefully handcrafted to become a special piece in your life.
Photos courtesy of www.carloscarpa.es and Guido Guidi for abitare.it
5 Places We'd like to Ring in the New Year
White/Space loves Seattle. It’s home to our Pioneer Square walk-up studio, it’s where we first embarked on the wild and beautiful ride that is motherhood, and it’s where we create, live, and play. The Space Needle’s New Year’s Eve firework show is great and all, but if we had enough frequent flyer miles stocked up to jetset across the world and celebrate, these destinations top our wish list.
Antarctica
Okay, so you can’t just up and hop any old plane to Antarctica -- but you can fly to the Southern tip of South America, where you can board a charter plane or cruise ship and head for the Antarctic Peninsula. Summer in the Southern Hemisphere runs from the end of December through March, so if you’re down for some sub-freezing adventure, the New Year is the best time to see penguins and other wildlife. Just be sure to travel responsibly and be extra-conscious about the pristine natural environment you’re entering as a guest!
Barcelona
Oh, Barcelona. So cool, so inspiring, such a beautiful mashup of historic architecture and youth culture. AND beaches! We could eat Patatas Bravas (fried potato morsels with delicious aioli… basically Catalonian street fries) all day. After you've checked out all the Gaudí structures and had some amazing meals, ring in Nochevieja by participating in Barcelona’s giant celebration at the Moment ontjüic fountains, complete with a midnight pyrotechnic show… or sipping Cava at the city center, Plaça de Catalunya. We especially wouldn’t mind staying up late and dancing along to some of Spain’s best DJs at any of the city’s nightclubs.
Berlin
Berlin thrives on nightlife, and New Year’s Eve is the best occasion to stay up later than ever. Slip into that perfectly cut jumpsuit and slink into any of Berlin’s avant-garde nightclubs to toast to new beginnings. After a few cocktails, take to the streets to countdown to midnight between Brandenburg Gate and Victory Column, where one of Europe’s largest open-air parties takes place until the wee hours of January 1.
If you can catch our old NYC friend (and now frequent Berlin resident) Stimulus spinning his killer mixes around town, I’d highly recommend it (and either way, check him out on Soundcloud and follow on Instagram).
Fez
We’d like to spend all day getting lost in the bustling streetside marketplaces throughout Morocco’s fourth most populous city. Along the way, the famed tanneries top our list of must-sees. Each day, leather goods are soaked and dip-dyed in large, open-air vats of colorful dye before eventually making their way to the Medina of Fez and other public bazaars.
Reykjavik
I've never been to Reykjavik for New Year's Eve, but it was so interesting and beautiful when I did go a few years back, I wouldn't hesitate to go again. I was lucky enough to witness the northern lights and it's definitely a must-see during the winter months. The locals are known to light up the New Year’s Eve sky with independent fireworks displays, all of which come together for a spectacularly bright show. We’d love to warm up and celebrate under the blasts at a giant bonfires (called a brenna in Iceland), then stick around for the rest of the week and try to catch the Aurora Borealis (Iceland’s long, dark autumn and winter nights make this the best season for spotting the northern lights).
Cheers to 2017! - K